'I spent the night at a hotel then discovered something horrifying after I left'

A man who discovered bug bites all over his body after a says he has been left "devastated" and wants more people to check their beds.

William Coomber, 39, is urging people to check their beds after his stay at the Waverley Hotel in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, on Sunday (May 25). He checked into the hotel with his sister, brother-in-law, nieces and nephew. But when he returned to his home in Harwich, , after his £50 one-night stay, he discovered the marks on his back, head, arms and legs. The trade plate driver said the itching was "unbearable" and the "painful" bites measured between 15.cm across and 2.5cm tall.

The hotel says full checks were carried out and professionals could not find anything. They added they had not received any similar complaints before, and boast a five star food and hygiene rating.

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Mr Coomber said: "It's horrible. Where it's on my hands and on my face, and when I'm out in public, I'm thinking about what people think of me.

"It makes you feel like people might think you're dirty. There is the constant itching and it is painful on my hands where I'm driving.

"When I go to sleep at night, I'm wearing layers and layers because I'm worried they're still here. I can't wait for them to go."

Mr Coomber and his family had stayed at three-star The Waverley Hotel following his brother-in-law's winning at bingo.

The day they returned home (May 26), Mr Coomber noticed the bites at around 10pm but first thought they could be gnat bites.

At 1am, Mr Coomber spotted a singular baby bed bug, known as a 'nymph', running across his bed sheet. He said he called the hotel to inform them but was told the cleaning team would look into it.

Mr Coomber said: "We've never had at our house and then all of a sudden, one shows up, it seems to be a hitchhiker from the hotel.

"The bites came up 24 hours after I stayed there. I steamed the entire bed and I've washed everything that was in the hotel at 60 degrees since returning home.

"On the Tuesday, I'd realised the extent of the bites and I was quite scared when I saw how many there were. I thought I need to do something about this - especially in case there were any other health implications.

"I went to a pharmacist and her words were 'Oh my gosh, I've never seen this amount of bites'. She told me to see a doctor or nurse as soon as possible so I got an emergency appointment at my GP.

"The nurse told me it was 'a lot of bites' and advised me to use hydrocortisone and an over the counter antihistamine."

Mr Coomber has reported the incident to the Environmental Services team at Great Yarmouth Borough Council.

He added: "I think anyone staying in a hotel regardless of whether it is budget or five star should as a precaution check the bed. No one should have to go through this experience and if you can prevent it by checking, it is going to help you.

"You need to check the corners and any creases where the bed bugs could hide. I love Great Yarmouth and its a great place to go. But I want an apology from the hotel and some sort of compensation. I'm not out for blood – I just want to make things right.

"My brother treated us after winning on the bingo and the result of that is I've been itching for days on end."

A spokesperson for The Waverley Hotel said: "Waverley Hotel is fully covered under an Annual Pest Control contract with a reputed Pest Control company of the UK and regular inspections are done at regular intervals in all areas of the hotel.

"A separate company came to check, they couldn't find anything.

"Other people have also stayed in that room during the interim and they haven't complained of bed bugs.

"We have been running this business for over 14 years and have always maintained high standards for hygiene and health safety.

"Recently we were granted food and hygiene grades, the latest being a five star just a few months ago on 25 February 2025."

A Great Yarmouth Borough Council spokesperson said: ‘’The council received a report about potential bed bugs at The Waverley Hotel in Great Yarmouth.

"As is standard when such a report is received, the Commercial Team will visit the hotel and investigate to decide if any action is required.’’